Author : Lavanya Arora
Table of Contents
Imagine a scene from The White Lotus. You step into a lush green landscape where time slows down just for you. However, there is no looming suspense here. Instead, you are on a true path to learning yoga and finding serenity. Do you prefer calmness with a side of adventure? You can also add hiking and surfing to your trip. Does this sound too good to be true? It isn’t. Thousands of travellers fly to Sri Lanka for this exact reason.
But planning for such yoga retreats comes with its own issues. Sri Lanka offers a cinematic setting for your purposeful travel. However, choosing from so many destinations can be difficult. One moment you search for “Best Yoga Retreats in Sri Lanka.” The next, your screen is full of overwhelming options across the country. Instead of planning, you shut your screen. You go back to bed, bury your head in the pillow, and scream. Maybe you need that yoga retreat more than you know.
Worry not, we have you covered.
This guide will take you through everything you need to know about yoga retreats in Sri Lanka. We’ve divided the guide into separate sections with answers to questions that plague most travellers.
Types of Yogas and Yoga Courses Offered in Sri Lanka
Chances are, if you’re looking for a yoga retreat in another country, you already know its basics. However, you might be starting your spiritual journey from the very beginning. If so, here are the major types of yoga that centres in Sri Lanka practice and teach:
Hatha Yoga Hatha
Literally means ‘force’ yoga. This practice uses physical postures to instill discipline and help you attain peace. It usually focuses on asanas (postures) and pranayamas (specific breathing exercises). Many consider it the best entry point into yoga, as it is great for beginners and early practitioners.
Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga literally means ‘eight limb’ yoga. Each limb denotes a separate aspect of being human. These include asanas and pranayamas, along with yamas (ethical conduct) and niyamas (self-discipline). It also includes pratyahara (sensory control), dharana (concentration), and dhyana (meditation). The goal is to reach the final state of samadhi (superconsciousness). Clearly, this is a more complex form of yoga meant for intermediate to advanced practitioners.
Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa means ‘disposition of limbs.’ This is a form of Ashtanga yoga. It focuses on flowing smoothly between different postures and breathwork. It’s beginner-friendly too.
Yin Yoga
This yoga arises from the ancient Chinese tradition of yin and yang (passivity and activity). It is quite new compared to other forms of yoga. This practice brings inner harmony. You achieve it by holding postures for extended periods. It stretches deep connective tissues and joints.
Yoga Teacher Training
Have you attended short retreats before? Or maybe you’ve practiced yoga for a while. If you want to learn its philosophies on a deeper level, consider a Yoga Teacher Training program. It could be the perfect next step. They usually range from 100-hour to 300-hour long programs.
Meditation and Mindfulness
This type of retreat lacks physical training. However, do not think it will be a walk in the park. After all, we often run away from our thoughts. Meditation and mindfulness can help us come to terms with them.
Some Reputable Yoga and Meditation Centres in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has numerous options for everyone. You can enroll in a 200-hour yoga teacher training course. Or you can hop from one drop-in studio to the next. You can also find short stays for meditation and mindfulness. To make things a little easier, here are a few trusted yoga and meditation centres:
Lanka Yoga on Koggala Lake, Habaraduwa
Talalla Retreat, Talalla
Vipassana Meditation Centre, Dhamma Kuta, Kandy
Polwaththa Yoga & Meditation Retreat, Kandy
Meth Bo Sewana Meditation Center, Thiththagalla
Green Peace Inn, Weligama
Sri Yoga Shala, Unawatuna
Please check their websites or call them well in advance. You often need to pre-register and pre-book retreats and training courses.
Other Activities Usually Paired Up with Yoga in Sri Lanka
Whether you crave a side of adventure with your yoga or silence, the country has you covered. Your other activities depend on your location. Are you in a beach-side town or a mountain forest? Here are a few popular activities you can pair with your daily practice:
Surfing
Hiking and Trekking
Wildlife Safari
Meditation and Silent Retreats
Ayurvedic Food and Healing
Cultural Immersion
Favourite Destinations for Yoga Seekers in Sri Lanka
Arugam Bay
This east coast town is a favourite for surfers. It offers a fantastic blend of adventure and inner peace. There are several centres offering yoga retreats in all budgets. You can also take a day trip to the nearby Kumana National Park. There, you can immerse yourself in nature’s healing presence.
Hiriketiya
Along with Weligama, this is the southern coast’s favourite surfing destination. Most centres here offer many options. You can choose a short 3-day surf and yoga retreat. Or you can opt for 10-day meditation and yoga classes.
Mirissa
Somewhere between Hiriketiya and Weligama, this southern coast town also offers surf and yoga retreats. But it also provides other options such as a massage retreat. If you’re lucky, you may even get to go whale spotting around town. Just make one promise. If you don’t spot a whale, don’t take it as a sign of a failed retreat. The universe is not against you. Please.
Ella
Are beaches and surfing not your jam? First, we offer condolences to the spirit of joy in your heart. Next, we offer a hilly alternative for your perfect yoga retreat. Ella is dotted with centres that blend ayurvedic healing, food, and yoga. It is the ideal destination for introverts and escapists alike. Which one are you? Don’t worry, the retreat will help you get to an answer.
Kandy
Kandy has been an important city since the 14th century. Don’t let its urban setting fool you. It holds great potential for spiritual awakenings. You can stay at a yoga centre within the country’s cultural capital. Or you can choose one a bit further away. Both will offer a chance to learn a great deal about the place’s history and its people.
Offbeat Destinations for Yoga Seekers in Sri Lanka
Kalpitiya
Located on the north-western coast, Kalpitiya is emerging as a new destination for travellers and yogis alike. You can choose retreats based on your liking and budget. Options range from 3-day budget yoga retreats to 98-day intensive wellness retreats. If you’re the adventurous type, you may also learn how to kite on a surfboard.
Knuckles Mountain Range
Have you always dreamed of being a monk? Several yoga centres around this UNESCO-recognised mountain range can help. They offer a taste of that monastic experience. And for a fraction of the required discipline and resilience. Sweet deal, right?
Sigiriya
Most centres in this area combine ayurveda with yoga. This location in the heart of the country offers double benefits. It is perfect for those seeking inner balance. You can sit or walk around one of the many lakes. You can even visit nearby national parks for a change of scenery.
If you also plan on backpacking across the country before or after your yoga retreat, we’ve got just the guide for you: https://tuktukrental.com/things-to-do-in-sri-lanka-for-backpackers/
Budget Considerations
Sri Lanka offers quality stays, travel, food, and activities for all sorts of travellers. The country buzzes with options for everyone. This includes those on a shoestring budget and yogis with a mid-range budget. It also caters to those wanting a luxury yoga retreat. Most retreats include three daily meals, healthy snacks, and plenty of herbal tea. However, it is always a good idea to check with the centre directly before you book.
Do you plan to attend retreats in different parts of the country? Or maybe travel around afterwards? Then, renting and driving your own tuktuk is the best option. Yes, it works well for all budgets. This guide tells you all about renting your own tuktuk.
Safety Tips for Solo Travellers
- Read TripAdvisor and Google reviews for potential retreat centres.
- Search for the centres on Instagram and go through their post comments.
- Enter the centre’s name on Google and search the News tab for any stories.
- Purchase a local SIM or get an e-SIM. Make sure to keep enough balance on it.
- Choose a trusted transport service. (Hint-hint, tuktukrental is the most trusted self-driven transport service in the country).
Packing Essentials
Yoga mat:
Most retreats can provide a mat. However, it’s best to carry your own if you’re a germaphobe. It’s also good if you want to practice yoga outside of your sessions.
Breathable clothing:
We cannot stress this enough. You will do physically intensive training. You need clothing that does not constrict your movement and lets your body breathe. That might be quite counterintuitive to your entire yoga practice.
Insect repellent:
Bring a cream or spray. This will keep hungry mosquitoes as far away as possible.
Water bottle and protein bar:
A reusable water bottle helps you stay hydrated. Choose one made from steel or high-grade plastic. Make sure to set a periodic reminder on your phone to prompt you to drink some water. Also, keep a couple of protein bars with you. You can even eat one as a cheat meal someday. A little motivation goes a long way, right?
Travel adapter:
The guests in White Lotus had to keep their phones away. Luckily, you do not have to. Make sure you have a country-compatible travel adapter to keep the phone going. You are on a journey of self-reflection. However, you don’t have to cut yourself off from friends and family. Or your social media following for that matter. Just try to be more present in the moment. After all, it’s as simple (or difficult) as that.
Also, consider downloading the Tuktukrental Travel App. It features offline maps and offbeat recommendations and even helps fellow tuktuk-ers on the road connect for information or just a few post-drive beers – or the local Sri Lankan arrack if you are feeling adventurous!
